20 October

October 20 is the 293rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 72 days remain until the end of the year. 

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about October 20^th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about October 20^th in history!

Table of Contents

1. Global Celebrations
2. Historic Events
3. Famous Birthdays
4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

• National Brandied Fruit Day
• National Suspenders Day
• Information Overload Day
• International Sloth Day
• National Waiters Day
• Hagfish Day
• Global Dignity Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – October 20

2011: Muammar Gaddafi is Captured

The deposed leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, is captured by the National Transitional Council Forces. He was killed by the troops soon after.

1982: Luzhniki Disaster

A stampede during a UEFA Cup soccer (football) match between Dutch club Haarlem and the Moscovian football club, Spartak at the Lenin Stadium in Moscow left about 60 people dead.

1973: Sydney Opera House Opens its Doors

The iconic building, which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was designed by Danish architect Jørn Oberg Utzon. Construction on the performing arts center began in March 1959 and cost over $100 million.

1968: Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis

Former American first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, married Greek shipping magnet, Aristotle Onassis

1962: War Breaks Out Between India and China

The month-long border dispute began after the Chinese launched a two-pronged attack on the border between the two countries. During the duration of hostilities, China and India did not officially declare war on each other nor cut off any diplomatic ties. The conflict ended with China taking control of Aksai Chin and both countries accepting a de facto border along what is now known as Line of Control.

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, October 20

1971: Snoop Dogg, American rapper, producer, actor

1958: Viggo Mortensen, American actor

1950: Tom Petty, American singer-songwriter, musician

1931: Mickey Mantle, American baseball player

1859: John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, October 20

2011: Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan politician, Prime Minister of Libya

1984: Paul Dirac, English physicist, Nobel Prize laureate

1964: Herbert Hoover, American politician, 31st President of the United States

1950: Henry L. Stimson, American statesman, lawyer, politician

1890: Richard Francis Burton, English soldier, geographer, diplomat